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Know how much you really earned for each real estatetransaction. Did you know QuickBooks Self-Employed helps you easily record commissions and expenses for each listing—plus, you can also deduct the cost of them?

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Does your listing’s lighting need a contemporary makeover? Edison bulbs may be the answer. These clear glass light bulbs, in which the center is exposed, have a nostalgic-like appearance and let out a nice warm glow. They stand out, instead of allowing your lighting to blend in.

Edison bulbs may best fit in an industrial décor style, but we’re seeing them weaved more and more into other design styles too.

Table lamps, chandeliers, and pendant lights are getting an Edison-bulb upgrade. Not to mention, they’re popular outside at the moment too with stringed Edison-style bulbs to entertain your outdoor spaces. (Read: Add a Party Vibe to Your Outdoor Staging)

Check out some stylish ways Edison bulbs are being used in different home styles.

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White Collar Warrior by Coach Bill Hart is available. We think this is going to be a “must read” for the industry. CLICK HERE to get a copy or White Collar Warrior CLICK HERE to connect with Coach Bill Hart.

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For the foreseeable future, the housing market will be plagued by scarce supply, according to presenters at the 2018 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, held recently in Washington, D.C.

With the economy and employment encouraging growth, home sales will be subdued, though still on an uphill track, according to National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, who discussed the market during the Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum. A forecast by Yun projects 5.6 million sales in 2018—a 1.8 percent increase—and another 5.7 million in 2019. Home sales were up 1.1 percent in 2017 and 3.8 percent in 2016, according to NAR.

“Overall fundamentals remain solid, driven by a growing economy and steady job creation, which will sustain home sales in 2018 slightly above last year’s pace,” Yun said. “The worsening housing shortage means home prices are primed to rise further this year, too, hindering affordability conditions for homebuyers in markets across the country.”

Affordability is at its lowest in six years, according to the NAR Housing Affordability Index, and is expected to worsen. The disparity between earnings and home prices is severe: incomes increased 15 percent from 2011 to 2017, while home prices rose 48 percent. Affordability will be further tightened by increasing mortgage rates, which Yun expects will rise to 4.6 percent by year-end.

“Challenging affordability conditions have prevented a meaningful rise in the homeownership rate after having fallen to a 50-year low a few years ago,” said Yun. “To increase homeownership, more home construction is needed, which could be boosted by delivering regulatory relief to community banks, removing the lumber tariff, re-examining stringent zoning laws and training more workers for the construction industry.”

According to the forecast, ground-breaking is projected to reach 1.3 million starts in 2018, and 1.4 million starts in 2019—hardly an inroad.

The biggest cohort of homebuyers—millennials—are particularly struggling, with homes in their price point all but swallowed up, said Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com®, who joined Yun. According to data from realtor.com®, there are 250,000 less properties in the starter tier (priced under $ 200,000) today than there were in 2015.

There is a brighter horizon, however.

“We are starting to see new listings grow in recent months,” Hale said. “The inventory shortage isn’t over—it took us years to get into an inventory rut, so it’s going to take us years to get out of it—but we do see signs of a turnaround.”

Hale and Yun were also joined by Jessica Lautz, director of Demographics and Behavioral Insights at NAR. According to Lautz, African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals, as well as those with college debt, are more challenged than others when it comes to homeownership.

“The homeownership rate amongst some ethnic groups hasn’t rebounded since the recession, and the ongoing affordability crisis has hampered potential buyers under 35, especially those with student debt, from accessing mortgage credit and making home purchases,” Lautz said.

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Have a home you recently staged that you’d like to show off here at Styled Staged & Sold? Submit your staging photos for consideration, along with three to five of your best spruce-up tips. Contact Melissa Dittmann Tracey at mtracey@realtors.org.

Home stager: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

About the property: A 3-bedroom, 3-full bath single-family home with a 5-car garage and open floor plan in Rosedale, Md. The property was completely restored by Yanni LLC.

Photo credit: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

Photo credit: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

Photo credit: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

Photo credit: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

Photo credit: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

Cyndi’s staging tips from this property:

1. Clean is serene! A fresh, bright decor brings a feeling of peace and tranquility. Whites and beiges paired with a darker wood is a great way to really extenuate a crisp, clean palette. Keep counters clear. Tuck toasters, can openers, and other handheld appliances away to maintain an open non-cluttered prep area.

2. Art does not have to be store bought pictures and paintings. Be creative. Clocks have so much personality now. Choose one that really demonstrates the style of the house and because of their popularity they are also easy to find for an inexpensive price. Create colorful abstract canvases with acrylic paint. Mount an old piece of driftwood or an old farm tool over a sofa for a dramatic textured focal point.

3. Stage the open house. Your refreshments may be store bought but your presentation shouldn’t show it. Break out those gallon pitchers with the cute spout at the bottom and invest in a few really awesome serving plates and racks. Add fresh cut fruit to your drink cups. You want buyers to feel they just walked into the next home where they will entertain friends. Add a little soft jazz playing in the background or music that is gentle and peaceful.

Photo credit: Cyndi Ryan with Staging Gracefully, Middle River, Md.

4. Unclutter. Declutter. Disclutter. Keep your staging simple. Whether for selling that property or even in your own home, no more clutter. The era of knick knacks and curios full of figurines left us some time ago. Minimize to a few staple pieces atop cabinets and dressers. Bring in fresh flowers (or even realistic artificial) and greenery. Let nature help create a space that is welcoming and spacious.

5. Dress the house for the occasion. Ever gone to a party and found that you were overdressed or under-dressed? Know your audience. Designing decor that is the most trendy, cutting edge in the world of interior design isn’t what will speak to most buyers. Buyers are looking for a relateable atmosphere where they can picture themselves. Design your staging to meet the price of the home and neighborhood it’s in. Also, be sure to invest more in homes that will bring a clientele that is looking for a bit more drama. Don’t be afraid of jewel tones or rich textures. Just know what style speaks to your potential buyers for that home.